13 Mrityunjay - Assumed Dead

Gaekwad Mansion - Mumbai - Present Day

It took Anirudh a couple of minutes to realise that she was talking to him. He had completely blanked out. Her beauty was so captivating, that except for her face and it’s intricately carved out features, he neither heard nor saw anything.

"Yes, Inspector?" asked Shivani, slightly agitated at the way he stared at her.

Anirudh cleared his throat, looking visibly embarrassed. "I am so sorry. You reminded me of someone I know very closely," he blurted out, looking all flustered.

Shivani did not know what to make of his words. "Yes? How can I help you?" she questioned, looking at him, signalling him to sit in a huge lounge chair, with her hand. She herself sat in the chair placed in the centre of thesignaling room, to signify it belonged to the head of the family.

"I am here to meet Ms Shivani Gaekwad," he stated, taking a good look around the huge lounge area. He needed to distract himself somehow, from the beautiful woman sitting in front of him.

"I am her. You ARE speaking to Shivani Gaekwad," she answered, keenly observing the inspector.

Anirudh's heart exploded in agony and recovered in hope in a matter of few seconds. Agony, at the thought that such a young, beautiful woman had been windowed at such a young age. Hope, as his chances of pursuing her were still alive. So what if she was once married to a now dead son of this household. He lived no longer and she no longer needed to be tied down to a dead relationship.

Anirudh studied Shivani for a few seconds, his face a stone, unreadable. "I am from the unsolved cases unit of Mumbai Police department," he stated.

Shivani was listening to each and every word this inspector spoke with absolute concentration.

"My name is Inspector Dixit, Anirudh Dixit," he said introducing himself. "I am here to inform you that we are going to reopen your late husband," he laid emphasis on the word late, "Mr Mrityunjay Gaekwad's case. We are going to re investigate all the allegations of human trafficking leveled against him, as well as probe the causes and circumstances of his death. I just wanted to keep you informed. We may ask to interview you sometimes to help us piece together,

exactly what had happened 3 years ago," he said, looking at Shivani, carefully avoiding the word interrogate.

Shivani's heart began to pound as soon as Anirudh had said, he wanted to reopen Mrityunjay's case. A thousand questions hammered in her head for answers. Why now? Why did this inspector want to re-open the case now? Very cautiously, she asked, "Can I know why this case is being reopened right now?"

"Well, firstly it is so that we can take the case to its logical conclusion. Your husband died 3 years ago, but this case is still outstanding. We would like to determine the cause and motive behind his death and close it as soon as possible. Secondly, this being a recent case relatively, it's easier for us to put together evidence," he explained.

Shivani nodded her head, showing her understanding. "Thank you for keeping me informed Inspector. Please do let me know when I am needed to report at the station. I'll be there," she stated, promising her full cooperation to Anirudh, despite the fact that she was quacking from the inside.

"Thank you, that's very helpful," he said and began to walk away. Anirudh turned around as an after thought. "Since I am going to be investigating this case, I might need some personal information from you as well. If you don't mind, can I have your contact details?"he asked, watching her closely.

Shivani pulled out her visiting card from the stack of cards kept inside the card holder and gave it to Anirudh. "Please feel free to call me whenever you need any information," she spoke, trying to sound as normal as possible.

"Yes, you will be hearing from me.. soon," he smiled, as she handed over her card to him, his eyes narrowed, as she watched him with her big, doe eyes.